Friday, December 05, 2025
30.0°F

Grant Co. public works director resigns

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | September 5, 2024 2:45 AM

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Works Director Sam Castro resigned and will complete his last day Friday, according to Grant County Commissioners Danny Stone and Cindy Carter.  


“Sam, in my opinion, is an excellent, excellent leader, somebody who just really helped our Public Works move forward (with) excellent initiatives with restructuring and the opportunities he gave for those that were under him to take leadership roles and move forward initiatives,” Stone said. “I think he was a leader that was willing to delegate and utilize his valuable employees to their max.” 


Castro began as the public works director during 2020, and Carter said she remembers she didn’t meet him in person until months later because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both commissioners said they have heard rumors on where Castro is going but nothing has been confirmed.  


Grant County has begun the search for a new Public Works director on its website, internally and using a hiring company, Stone said. However, Andy Booth, the assistant public works director, will be fulfilling the responsibilities until a new director is hired.  


“It’s a big part of the commissioners' job working with infrastructure,” Carter said. “We are going to miss him, but I wish him luck with his next job. I hope we will continue our working relationship if he stays in the county.” 


ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON

Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
December 5, 2025 1:15 a.m.

Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office

SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.

Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
December 4, 2025 4:55 p.m.

Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill

WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”

Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
December 3, 2025 6:30 p.m.

Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests

EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.